Lindor happy to give back with RBI program

PHILADELPHIA — The Indians had an off-night in Philadelphia on Thursday. You have to understand. Off-nights are precious for big leaguers, a rare opportunity to take a break from the daily grind of the regular season.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor chose to spend part of his evening at Citizens Bank Park. There was no game. Outside, it rained on and off. The place was nearly deserted by the time the 22-year-old rising star arrived. Except at one of the indoor batting cages where members from three of Philadelphia’s Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities (RBI) program were going through some drills.

“I always want to give back. I always want to help,” Lindor said. “A lot of people helped me throughout my life and I want to give back. And for me, to give back is not money. It’s giving time. I feel like if I help one kid, two kids, they can help somebody else. And keep that moving forward, and pretty soon we’re living in a better place. I want people to help my kids later on.”

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The kids, ranging in ages 8 to 15, were from the North Philadelphia R&R Mejia and MVP 360 and the Bustleton Bengals from the Northeast. Phillies youth baseball development director Jon Joacquin and his staff were on hand.

Lindor, wearing his No. 12 Indians jersey, then spoke and answered questions for a half hour, followed by more drills which he observed, offering tips from time to time. Afterward, he stuck around to chat one-on-one with some of the players, sign …

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